Vanuatu to Australia - Repairs - Bl**dy Computers - Whitsunday Isalnds - Photos
Eowyn
Sun 1 Aug 2010 03:40
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Éowyn is in the Marina at
Hamilton Island in the Whitsunday's in position 20:20.848S 149:57.010E
In the first part of our
passage to Australia the weather was reasonably kind. We sailed for much of the time using the very effective
North G2 asymmetric spinnaker. It works well downwind and is easy to set
and recover. The winds were 15 to 20 knots from the SE which suited the sail
well.
The last 24 hours were not
quite so kind however. Initially the wind was 25 knots but it soon increased to
30 and eventually was gusting 40 knots. We reefed heavily and were reasonably
comfortable as you can see from this photo taken by Rui Soares of Thor
VI.
  Eowyn Under Asymmetric and Heavily Reefed
Approaching Australia
The main problem occurred when
we entered Hydrographers Passage through the Great Barrier Reef. The sea was
quite choppy and there was a very strong current against us for 50 miles. At
times we were making less than 1 knot over the ground motorsailing flat out!.
Eventually, at 0200 we broke free of the current and could shape a course for
Mackay. We sailed well and covered the last 70 miles in reasonable
time.
Customs and Quarantine have a
fearsome reputation in Australia and we berthed on the secure Quarantine dock in
the Marina to await the myriad officials. The Customs visit was thorough but
efficient and was over in 30 minutes. The quarantine were onboard for 90
minutes, searching inside and out, not for drugs, but eggs, bananas, mayonnaise
and other such undesirable commodities! We had been well briefed by World
Cruising and had disposed on all of our fresh food before arrival. The only
things confiscated were mayo and a jar of pureed garlic! They found an insect in
one of Mike's souvenirs but they treated it and left it onboard. They were
friendly at all times and were not the ogres we had expected. Our antifouling
regime met with their approval so no further work was required.
I visited Boatpower to confirm
the fitting of our replacement watermaker membrane and we set about cleaning
Eowyn to await the arrival of Val & Chris the next day. Their plane was on
time from Brisbane and we all checked into the Clarion Hotel at the Marina. This
had an unexpected benefit as they have free laundry machines for guests and we
could do all the washing we needed! This was helpful as we had discovered a leak
in a clothes locker caused by loose aft cleat bolts!
One by one, my laptops (4 in
total) have been failing and eventually I managed to break the screen on the
last one! The local computer shop has made a temporary repair but I must buy a
new laptop in Cairns so I have some backup. We are now dependent on computers
for communications and weather information. That's a massive change in cruising
in the last 10 years.
A couple of days ago when
starting the engine, I noticed a heavy smell of burning. The main alternator had
burnt out and could not be repaired. We have a second alternator as backup and I
switched that into circuit but I must order the replacement from the US and have
it shipped to Darwin for fitting at the end of August. We have been luckier than
many yachts which have needed more substantial repairs including new generators
for Jeannius and Ocean Jasper.
We were luckier in finding a
restaurant for Val and Chris's joint birthday on 28th July. The "Church on
Palmer Street" turned out to be fantastic and ideal for the
occasion.
 Mike & Val with Extravagant
Dessert
Eventually we left Mackay for
the Whitsunday Islands. firstly we stopped in a remote deserted Thomas Island
where we went ashore with the crews of several friendly Aussie yachts. we
were joined later by Ronja, formerly with the World ARC.
Last night we checked into
Hamilton Island, a heavily developed resort island with a large marina. Thor VI
came in and we were all able to go to the steak house to celebrate Ana's
birthday
 Photo of Eowyn at Bora Bora under Twistle Rig
(thanks to Max Bremner of Lady Lisa)
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